Method of manufacturing aqueous paper pulp for water soluble packages

Abstract

An aqueous slurry for manufacturing water soluble or dispersible paper for use in medical device packaging. The slurry has a solid component consisting of methylcellulose and paper pulp. The slurry also has a liquid component consisting of water and an alkylalcohol. The methylcellulose remains in a substantially undissolved state in the aqueous slurry.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for manufacturing a water dispersible paper pulp comprising: forming a slurry in a vessel, said slurry comprising: A) a solid component, the solid component comprising about 25 wt. % to about 75 wt. % of a water soluble methylcellulose based upon the total weight of the solid component, and, about 75 wt. % to about 25 wt. % of paper pulp based upon the total weight of the solid component, wherein the solid component comprises 4.0 wt. % or less of the total weight of the slurry; and,   B) the remainder of the slurry comprising a liquid component, the liquid component comprising about 25 wt. % to about 75 wt. % of an alkyl alcohol based upon the total weight of the liquid component and about 75 wt. % to about 25 wt. % of water based upon the total weight of the liquid component; and,     mixing the ingredients in the vessel to produce an aqueous pulp slurry,   wherein said water soluble methyl cellulose remains substantially in an undissolved state in the slurry.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1 wherein the alkyl alcohol is selected from the group consisting of ethanol, methanol, butanol, propanol, isopropanol and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 1 wherein the alkyl alcohol is isopropanol. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 1 wherein the solid component comprises 50 wt. % of said water soluble methyl cellulose. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 1 wherein the liquid component comprises 50 wt. % isopropanol. 
     
     
       6. The method of claim 1 wherein the paper pulp comprises sulfate pulp. 
     
     
       7. An aqueous slurry for manufacturing a water dispersible paper, said slurry comprising: A) a solid component, the solid component comprising about 25 wt. % to about 75 wt. % of said water soluble Methyl Cellulose based upon the total weight of the solid component, and, about 75 wt. % to about 25 wt. % of paper pulp based upon the total weight of the solid component, wherein the solid component comprises 4.0 wt. % or less of the total weight of the slurry; and,   B) the remainder of the slurry comprising a liquid component, the liquid component comprising about 25 wt. % to about 75 wt. % of an alkyl alcohol based upon the total weight of the liquid component and about 75 wt. % to about 25 wt. % of water based upon the total weight of the liquid component,   wherein said water soluble methylcellulose remains substantially in an undissolved state in the slurry.   
     
     
       8. The slurry of claim 7 wherein the alkyl alcohol is selected from the group consisting of ethanol, methanol, butanol, propanol, isopropanol and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       9. The slurry of claim 7 wherein the alkyl alcohol is isopropanol. 
     
     
       10. The slurry of claim 7 wherein the solid component comprises 50 wt. % of said water soluble methyl cellulose. 
     
     
       11. The slurry of claim 7 wherein the liquid component comprises 50 wt. % isopropanol. 
     
     
       12. The slurry of claim 7 wherein the paper pulp comprises sulfate pulp.